SITA UK develops relationship to develop chemicals from waste

SITA UK and its owner Suez Environnement is investing in the UK renewable chemical industry with a new contract to fund the research and development programme of North East technology company Solvert.

As part of the investment, Solvert has agreed a collaborative research and development project with Suez Environnement and SITA UK to convert the organic waste fraction – such as paper, food and garden waste – into renewable chemicals.

The aim of the investment is to focus on optimising the pre-treatment of the waste and maximise value creation from it.

Solvert chief executive Kris Wadrop said: “Securing finance for the business has been incredibly tough in the current economic climate. However, with this investment from Suez Environnement, I am delighted that the team’s hard work is now paying dividends.

“The value of the investment from Suez Environnement is more than financial. Suez Environnement is committing resources from its R&D centre in Paris and its subsidiary, SITA UK, which is one of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies, who will provide technical support and also help with commercialisation work.”

SITA UK technical development director Stuart Hayward-Higham said: “We are pleased to have helped facilitate this investment and to be part of the team that will work on the technical R&D and the wider potential commercialisation of the R&D outputs. This project is one of a number where we are investing our skills and resources into making better use of waste.”